SNL's 'Tourette's' sketch features celebrities falsely claiming the condition to excuse past behavior
Tourette's Action condemned the sketch as 'horrific' and trivializing to those with the condition
The charity supports campaigner John Davidson and the film 'I Swear' which raises awareness about Tourette's
The sketch aired in response to the BAFTA racial slur incident but was criticized for its insensitive approach
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UK-based Tourette's syndrome charity Tourettes Action has condemned a recent Saturday Night Live sketch titled 'Tourette's' as 'horrific,' with the American comedy show's PSA-style segment featuring celebrities like J.K. Rowling, Mel Gibson, Armie Hammer, Louis C.K., and Bill Cosby falsely claiming to have Tourette's syndrome to excuse their past problematic comments and actions. The controversial sketch, which aired in the wake of the BAFTA racial slur incident, has sparked significant backlash from advocates for the neurological condition, with the charity expressing particular concern about how it trivializes the lived experiences of those with Tourette's. Tourettes Action, which has been supporting campaigner John Davidson and the documentary film 'I Swear' since its release last year, emphasized in a statement shared with Deadline that the condition is not a punchline or an excuse for harmful behavior. The organization highlighted that using Tourette's as a comedic device to explain away controversial remarks or actions by celebrities who have faced public criticism reinforces harmful misconceptions about the disorder.
🏷️ Themes
Disability representation, Media ethics, Celebrity culture
Tourettes Action is a United Kingdom support and research charity for people with Tourette syndrome (TS) and their families. TS is a neurological condition characterised by tics—involuntary sounds and movements.
American late-night live sketch comedy variety show
Saturday Night Live (SNL) is an American late-night live sketch comedy variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Michaels and Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC. The show's premiere was hosted by George Carlin on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title NBC's Saturday Night. The sh...
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA, ) is an independent trade association and charity that supports, develops, and promotes the arts of film, television and video games in the United Kingdom. In addition to its annual award ceremonies, BAFTA has an international programme of lear...
EXCLUSIVE : Saturday Night Live ‘s send-up of the BAFTA racial slur incident has proved to be no laughing matter for a leading Tourette’s syndrome charity. In a statement shared with Deadline, Tourettes Action, which has supported campaigner John Davidson and the film I Swear since its release last year, decried SNL ‘s intervention. In the PSA-style skit titled ‘Tourette’s,’ a host of celebrities, including J.K. Rowling, Mel Gibson, Armie Hammer, Louis C.K., and Bill Cosby claim they suffer from Tourette’s, which would explain problematic comments or actions they have been involved in. Watch on Deadline Related Stories Late Night TV 'SNL' Sketch Has J.K. Rowling, Mel Gibson, Armie Hammer, Ye & More Celebs Claiming They Have Tourette's Following BAFTAs Racial Slur Incident
